The name is power. Chad Powers. He will (return) to the screen near you.
Hulu has ordered Eli Manning’s character “Chad Powers” to be given his own comedy series, according to a company press release. Manning created and morphed into Bowles in an episode of his documentary series Eli’s Place after Manning’s curiosity about the college football walk-on process led him to try out at Penn State under a pseudonym and disguise. . With the help of a special effects artist and a Matthew McConaughey-esque character, Manning successfully attempts to become a Nittany Lion. He almost made it, too, as Penn State’s assistants had a natural affinity for the two-time Super Bowl champion, and head coach James Franklin (seemingly the only one who knew Manning’s true identity) ended the tryout. Powers was revealed.
The episode will air on ESPN in September 2022. Produced by Peyton Manning’s media company Omaha Productions.
“I am amazed by the love for Chad Bowles,” Manning said in a statement. “I played in the NFL for 16 years, but now when I’m in a restaurant or walking through an airport, it’s not uncommon for fans to scream ‘Hey Chad!’
The new series will be written and created by Glen Powell and writer/producer Michael Waldron. Glen Powell is the actor who plays Jack “The Executioner” Seresin in the box-office hit “Top Gun: Maverick,” and Michael Waldron is best known for “Rocky” and “Rocky.” “Rick and Morty.” The pair will executive produce alongside Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz and Ben Brown of ESPN and Omaha Productions Filmmaker.
“I hope Glenn is improving his quarterback skills, I saw him throwing a football at Maverick…he still has some work to do!!” Manning say on XThursday, formerly known as Twitter.
In the new Hulu series, bad behavior ruins popular quarterback Russ Holliday’s college career, leading him to go incognito and join as the charming Chad Powers for a struggling Southern football team.
“We are die-hard college football fans,” Powell and Waldron said in the release. “When we saw Eli play Chad Powers, we knew this was the way to go into a big, interesting story about this world. We’re excited to be a part of this team and can’t wait to have Chad on board Games. Think fast, run fast.”
Get ready to think fast and run fast, @GlenPowell. pic.twitter.com/nLNf5COZ3E
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) February 22, 2024
This is another media venture for the Manning brothers. Prior to the start of the 2023 season, both Peyton and Eli Manning announced partnerships with Omaha Productions for replacement “Monday Night Football” telecasts on ESPN2.
A release date for the Hulu series has yet to be announced, so be prepared to think fast and rush to a screen near you.
(Photo: Amir Hamja/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
